Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-17
Senator Riddleberger.

EXCITING SCENES IN SHENANDOAH COUNTY
coURT-THE SENATOR ARRESTED AND
COMMITTED TO JAIL FOR CONTEMPT OF
CoURT-HE is RELEASED BY A MOB.
The following kilograms from Woodstock
to the Richmond Dispatch appeared in that
paper of the 18th and l4th instant =
WOODSTOCK, VA, August Ex-senator
Riddleberger was this day fined and COM
mitted to jail for ten days by Judge New
man for contempt of court. A placard was
paraded in the streets to-day rejecting on
the Court in a case in which Senator Rid
dleberger was interested, which was the
chief cause of the trouble, supplemented by
the demeanor of the prisoner in COURT
Partisan feeling runs. high and trouble may
result.
WooDsTocK, VA, August Ex-senator
Riddleberger's committal to jail as wired
you last night, was brought about by the
following causes Senator Riddleberger
appeared on Thursday morning in the
County Court here, in connection with four
other lawyers, to defend w. W. Jones in a
trial for misdemeanor. The whole morn
ing session was consumed in wrangling.-
By noon one of the lawyers, to the great
indignation of Senator Riddleberger, who
immediately withdrew from the case, asked
the Court to appoint counsel for Jones'
The Court replied it thought the prisoner
well represented. Then all the lawyers
who had been consuming the time of the
court in behalf of Jones withdrew. The
Court appointed the Hon. ii. G. Allen at
torney for the defendant and proceeded
with the case. While Judge Allen was
conducting the case Senator Riddleberger
and several of the other lawyers who had
appeared for Jones in the morning, 10
turned aud resumed connection with tae
case. The jury decided that
JONES WAS INSANE,
and he was discharged. On Friday noon
Jones was intoxicated and placed in a
wagon with a placard which was ha,d to
read from the unsteady hand in which it
was written. The following is the accepted
interpreta ton "The verdict sane. No
for the prisoner. Judge between the Court
and jury" Senator Riddleberger was
summoned before the Judge at o'clock on
Friday evening, and the following scene
took place: The Court told the Senator
that he had been summoned to show cause
why he should not be fined and committed
to Jail for contempt of court. The Senator
said he had not seen the warrant. The
Commonwealth attorney read the return
for the warrant.
''sIT DOWN. RIDDLEBERGER.
The Senator claimed the Court had no
jurisdiction. The Court said it had fully
decided It had The Senator attempted to
make a speech and the Court told HIM to
sit down that argument would not be
heard until the evidence was in. The Sena-
tor still persisting in making speech, the
Judge fined him $25. The Senator still
persisting in speaking, the Court said it
would seed him to Jail if he did not sit
down.
TAKEN TO A COUNTY JAZZ"
Senator Riddleberger then said: 81
won't pe sent to Jail, and I'd like to see the
damn man that will take me there.P The
Court ordered the sheriff to take him, and
Senator Riddleberger resisting, the Court
when the bystanders and some of the
window The sheriff took the prisoner to
jail.
sszssSenatar Riddleberger bought the card.
board used in the placard. The confne-
mont of 4 snator Riddleberger in Jail caused
great excitement among his followers.
The jail is an old-fashioned solid stone
| structure, standing on grassy lawn shaded
by large locust trees. It is situated in the
centre OF The town. The jailer was sick in
bed, and Deputy-Sheriff Hotel was placed
in Jail w;il the Senator. About 3 o'clock
Mrs Shu;, wife of the jailer, was awakened
by some one trying to get in the Jail. She
refused admittance, and they threatened to
use force. Mrs. Shull told them it would
be on ih,r own responsibility. She ran to
| Senator Riddieberger's cell and asked him
| to anpe;,2 TO the mob. He asked her to let
him out She refused, as she did also to
let the DEPUTY sheriff out. who requested it..
| In the meantime the mob broke into the
| kitchen, and Mrs. Shull, who was in her
night-cl hes, ran in her room. A key was
found which let the Senator out through
the jail yard in the rear.
| HIpDLEBERGER STILL AT LARGE.
| Senainr Riddleberger was at large on the
street to-day, and was not arrested.
| The Judge, who left town for secluded
watering place il the country, where his
famI5 is residing, will return Monday
The lawFers at the bar are ready to sign a
petition requesting the Judge TO protect
them il court against the farces lately en-
acted il. the court~rooIa.
Later intelligence from Woodstock oid
Winchester, dated the 10Th instant says =
Senator Riddleberger has returned tc
jail, and the excitement over his imprison
ment and subsequent rescue has subsidized
Malone at Work.